Mentorship Sets Afghan National Police Up For Success

QAISAR DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

01.11.2011

Courtesy Story

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

Story by: Capt. Jake Morano

QAISAR DISTRICT, Afghanistan -- Soldiers of Alpha Battery, or “Rock”, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team serving in Afghanistan have been partnering with members of the Afghan National Police in Qaisar District, Faryab Province since their arrival in country last March.

Through this partnership, the ANP have become tactically sound, more confident in their capabilities and better able to provide security for the people they serve.

During Rock’s deployment, there have been several key events where members of the ANP have displayed a marked improvement in their capability and willingness to serve and protect the people of Qaisar.

In September when the national parliamentary elections were held, the district had the largest turnout in the province. This was due largely to the ANP successfully securing 30 active polling sites.

Their training has included Traffic Control Points, patrolling techniques, identifying and dealing with IED's, tactical response to enemy attack, and search techniques, which includes, houses, villages, vehicles, and personnel.

There have been several events during the last ten months in which the ANP have displayed a marked improvement in their capability and willingness to serve the people of Qaisar.

During the national parliamentary elections held in September 2010, the District of Qaisar had the largest voter turnout within Faryab province, due largely to the ANP successfully securing 30 active polling sites in the face of multiple attempts by insurgent forces to dissuade the public from voting.

Additionally, the Qaisar ANP was responsible for the largest narcotics discovery in the province in recent years.

“Our soldiers that work at the checkpoints were very successful in finding the drugs,” said Maj. Sayed Aslam Ziaraty, Qaisar District Chief of Police. “The instructions and training Capt. Morano’s men have given were very important in helping us discover the hidden compartment.”

Ziaraty had received a tip from one of his sources that a vehicle was transporting a large amount of opium through the district, and he sent the information out to the police manning the checkpoints. The opium was found in a small truck that had a built in false floor in the bed, well hidden and disguised by empty fuel barrels. Under the false floor, police discovered almost 600 kilograms of opium.

“We are proud of this discovery and the progress that the ANP have made during our deployment,” said Capt. Jake Morano, an ISAF member. “This event was completely an ANP effort. Major Ziaraty handled the event just as he should have, securing the narcotics, documenting the event, and turning everything over to the Provincial Anti-Narcotics Office. His patrolmen performed just as they have been trained to do.”

The partnership between Rock Battery, and the Qaisar ANP has been very rewarding. As a result, the two organizations have bonded into a strong team. They have both faced the insurgency on several occasions together, as well as celebrated together.

• Date Taken: 01.11.2011
• Date Posted: 01.11.2011 23:49
• Story ID: 63395
• Location: QAISAR DISTRICT, AF